Car Diagnostics in Thurlestone

Thurlestone has a beach, golf and a hotel close by, and in summer its narrow lanes carry a lot of holiday traffic. Many drivers here are visitors in cars they do not know well, so a dashboard light can cause real worry about whether to carry on.

Automaster handles diagnostics and auto electrics from Longcombe Cross near Totnes. We help residents of Thurlestone and holiday-makers alike to understand what a fault means and what to do about it.

A light has come on during my holiday: can I keep driving?

It depends on the light. A steady amber engine light normally allows careful driving to a garage, but a flashing light, red oil pressure, red temperature or brake warning means stop in a safe place. If the car feels different or loses power, do not carry on.

If you are unsure, ask us. We would rather talk it through than have you risk damage or safety.

What does full vehicle diagnostics include?

We connect to the car and read codes from the engine and other systems, such as ABS, airbags and body electronics. Then we test the circuits involved, checking the sensors, wiring and connectors.

A code is a pointer to a system, not a parts list. Replacing parts without testing can waste money and leave the fault in place.

• Reading stored fault codes
• Testing the sensor and its wiring
• Confirming the repair has worked

Why do batteries fail at the start of a holiday?

Cars that sit for weeks and then do a long run are common in a place like Thurlestone. A weak battery may cope with starting but fail after a cold night, and a weak alternator will leave it undercharged.

We test both. If the battery is at the end of its life, we replace it, and if the charging system is at fault we repair that instead.

Intermittent warnings are common and often point to a connection or sensor that is only just failing. The code may stay stored even when the light has gone out, so a scan is still worthwhile. Tell us how often it happens and in what conditions, such as after rain, on a cold start or when the air conditioning is on, because those clues shorten the search considerably. A visitor's car that behaves oddly on the way home deserves checking before the next long run.

Can you repair wiring, sensors and parking aids?

Yes. Electrical fault finding, wiring repairs, sensor replacement, alarms and immobilisers, reversing cameras and parking sensors are all part of our work. Hotel and beach car parks are tight, and sensors and cameras suffer.

Intermittent faults need more time because they must be traced when they show themselves.

Is Thurlestone within your area?

Yes, drivers from Thurlestone, Bantham, Kingsbridge, Bigbury and Salcombe bring cars to us at Longcombe Cross near Totnes.

Tell us what the car is doing when you ask for a quote and we will say what to bring and what we need to check.